After making the mistake of hugging the Cote Azure with its crowds, and then finding Provence much the same, we headed inland off the motorways and started to discover the France that we endded up loving. Fair to say it was our favourite country - it delivers on so many levels - there are more stunningingly scenic countries (Norway), more exotic and vibrant cities (Istanbul), better biking roads (Spain), etc. but France still offers the best blend of all this and more. We were happy that we did it twice and the more we saw, the more we loved. We'll be back!

this little bugger caused the only puncture we had in 22000kms

Our campsite at eh foot of Mont Blanc near Chamonix

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

In, on, beneath and around Mont Blanc

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Carol's attempt at a bit of "French Chic" . You can take the Scots out of Scotland, but... She saw no problem dropping her dacks when it got a bit warm. Check the defiant stance.

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Our campsite at Lac De Viam (near the tiny village of Viam) in the Correze region - one of our favourite places in the world

Lac De Viam

Lac De Viam

Lac De Viam

Lac De Viam

Lac De Viam

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Visions of Chateau Chenonceau - campsite was virtually in the grounds.

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

Visions of Chateau Chenonceau

A church on a windy hill - we know little else about it!

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

in and around the delightful seaside village of Erquy

Cathedral at Bayeux

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Mere St Eglise- site of an American para assault during D-Day. 1 Para was snagged on the church steeple and played dead for 2 hours with a shot ankle, later captured, later escaped to tell his tale. A dummy with a chute now hang on the steeple permanently

Mere St Eglise

Mere St Eglise

Mere St Eglise

Mere St Eglise

Mere St Eglise

D-Day beaches - a sombre and sad - but rich experience to have visited there

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Not sure where this is - it could be anywhere in France - history and beauty is abundant in even the smallest village

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The French never miss an opportunity to make art out of something. This is evident all over France, not just Paris

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"les Invalides" built by Napolean for his war veterans and focus of the revolutionaries raid to arm themselves

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A trip down the Sein - more history and architectural beauty than you can poke a stick at

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It's cliched and iconic but photographing the Eiffel tower and its many personalities is an experience in itself

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Dinner in Paris was supposed to be the real Parisian experience. Didn't realise it but we were in a Romanian cafe!

Bella arrived in London on a Thursday but we could only get her cleared through customs and delivered to Leamington Spa on the Monday. So we spent some lazy days with my sister Diane and her family before Bella arrived...

Blenheim Palace with my English family

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace in England

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Lake district in Cumbria - beautiful part of England

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Carol and Charlotte in the Cotswolds

Cumbria

Cumbria

Cumbria

Cumbria

Cumbria

Cumbria

The cosy pub at our campsite in Cumbria, Lake District

Beautiful, wet windermere in the Lake District

Beautiful, wet windermere in the Lake District

Beautiful, wet windermere in the Lake District

ENGLAND

ENGLAND

ENGLAND

ENGLAND

...enormous buuuurp followed

Carol at the border - it pretty much poured all the way to Leamington Spa

England Scotland Border, managed to slip through undetected

France over there somewhere - heading off early the next morning after Carol's 9am foot massage to gently wake her...

Dover Sunset

Beautiful Sunset on the pebble beach at Dover

Beautiful Sunset on the pebble beach at Dover

Beautiful Sunset on the pebble beach at Dover

Our campsite - Dover, overlooking the channel. Dropped the bike on the soft turf...1 down 3 to come!

We were excited to be heading for Morocco - not only because it promised people, cities and scenery quite different to what we had experienced so far in Europe, but we were also "chucking a Uie" and heading back to England/home. We initiially wanted to touch on Tangiers and then head for the High Atlas range, reach the Sahara and then head back north, but got (happily) caught up in Tangiers. Vibrant, busy, friendly (if a bit pushy), and exotic, it fulfilled its promises. We stayed in a fantastic Hotel in the Medina - a short walk to the Kasbah, called Dar Jameel. Highly recommended for the true Moroccan Medina experience! A special mention must go to the Manager - Leighton, and his staff Idris and Fatima for their wonderful hospitality. When we wanted to extend our stay at the Dar Jameel longer but found it was fully booked, Leighton moved heaven and earth to help us find alternative accommodation. Generally, they ensured we were well looked after in every respect. The hotel photos you see here are split between the Dar Jameel and the Continental.The Kasbah with its 4000 tiny sinuous streets was a highlight.

The exotic opulence of the Dar Jameel

Dar Jameel

Dar Jameel

Dar Jameel

Dar Jameel

Dar Jameel

Dar Jameel

Dar Jameel

Dar Jameel

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We could easily have filled a container or 2 with goodies from the Kasbah markets

Spain was a revelation for us and delivered a fantastic range of scenery and what must be some of the best biking roads in the world. Again, the moment we moved off the motorways and ventured into the country, the whole experience improved hugely. Empty roads, stunning countryside, beautiful weather (if a bit hot at times), and beautiful little villages. Like France, we were very happy to do it twice - once on the way down and once on the way up.

After making the mistake of hugging the Cote Azure with its crowds, and then finding Provence much the same, we headed inland off the motorways and started to discover the France that we endded up loving. Fair to say it was our favourite country - it delivers on so many levels - there are more stunningingly scenic countries (Norway), more exotic and vibrant cities (Istanbul), better biking roads (Spain), etc. but France still offers the best blend of all this and more. We were happy that we did it twice and the more we saw, the more we loved. We'll be back!